Dust-pan.



PATENTED MAR. 19, 19071 H.'E. REEVES.

DUST PAN. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1a. 1006.

as co.. WASHINmN, D. c.

HARRY E. REEVES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DUST-PAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 19 07.

Application filed March 19,1906. Serial No. 306,749.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY E. REEvEs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chi cago, in the county of (look and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Dust-Pans, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In using the ordinary dust-pan it is necessary for the user to stoo andhold the pan in position with one hand while sweeping the dust into thepan with the broom held in the other hand.

The object of this invention, generally stated, is to provide a dust-panwhich need not be manually held in position, thereby permitting thesweeper to stand erect and saving both hands free to use the broom.

Other objects of the invention willappear in the following detaileddescription.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalcentral section through a dust-pan embodying the features of my invention. In this figure the pan is shown in inoperative position. Fig. 2is a view simi lar to that of Fig. 1, but showing the pan in theoperative position. Fig. 3 is a fragmental top plan view of said dust-pan.

The embodiment herein shown of my invention comprises a pan 1.,substantially like the ordinary dust-pan and provided with a artialcover or hood 2 extendin across the P rear end of the pan. The pan 1 isalso, preferably, provided with a carrying-bail 3, pivotally connectedwith the sides of said pan near the rear end thereof. Stop-pins 4,projecting from the pan-body, limit the pivotal movement between thebail 3 and the pan 1 in one direction.

The pan 1. is herein shown as supported upon a base 5. In this instancesaid base is made of sheet metal and is provided at its forward end witha bearing-sleeve 6, formed integral with the body of the base. The pan 1is pivotally connected with said base by means of a pintle 7, extendingthrough the bearing-sleeve 6 and through two bearings 8,

secured upon the under side of the pan 1 nearthe middle of said pan. In.the embodiment herein shown the pan normally stands with its forward orreceiving end out of cont-act with the floor. For pressing the forwardedge of the pan 1 into firm contact with the floor I provide afoot-lever 9, formed in this instance from sheet metal and having sidewebs or flanges 10 to lend rigidity to the lever. Said lever ispivotally mounted upon a pivotpin 11, extending through bearing-openingsin said side flanges and through perforated bearing-ears 12, struck upfrom the metal of the base 5. The rear end of the foot-lever 9 extendsbeyond the rear end of the pan 1, and its forward end is suitablyconnected with said pan for tilting it. In the present construction saidconnection is formed by means of a pin 13, rotatably supported within asleeve 14, formed at the forward end of said foot-lever. The ends ofsaid pin are bent to provide two arms 15,extending at right angles tothe body of the pin, said arms 15 being slid ably mounted withinbearings 16, secured to the under side of the pan 1.. A spring 17,coiled about the pivot-pin 11, its ends lying between and bearing uponthe base 5 and the foot-lever 9, tends to raise the rear end of saidfoot-lever and tilt the pan 1 upon its pivot 7. In use the dust-pan isplaced upon the floor at the point where it is desired to remove thesweepings. The operator places her foot upon the projecting rear end ofthe foot-lever 9, thereby tilting said lever and pressing the forwardedge of the pan 1 firmly against the floor. The operator, standingerect, ma now sweep the dust into the pan, both hands bein free to usethe broom. Upon removing her oot from the foot-lever 9 the spring 17throws the rear end of said lever upward and raises the forward end ofthe pan from the I floor. As the dust-pan may be picked up and set downby means of the bail 3, the amount of stooping required of the user isreduced to a minimum. It will be noted that the foot-lever 9 and the pan1 are slidably connected, the pin 13 being slidably mounted in thebearings 16 in order that said pin may be free to move as the anglebetween the forward end of the foot-lever 9 and the base 5 is changed.Being of fore somewhat flexible, the parts of the device are adapted toyield slightly when pressure is placed upon them.

I claim as my invention 1. In a dust-pan, in combination, a base; a panpivotally mounted upon said base; and a foot-lever pivotally mountedintermediate its ends upon said base for pivotally moving said pan, oneend of said lever being operatively connected with said pan, and theother end of said lever being adapted to receive the foot of theoperator.

2. In a dust-pan, in combination, a base; a pan pivotally mounted onsaid base; and a foot lever pivotally mounted between its sheet metal,and there ends upon said base and having a sliding connection at one endWith said pan.

3. In a dust-pan, in combination, a base; a pan pivotally mounted onsaid base; a footlever pivotally mounted on said base; a pin attached tosaid foot-lever the end portions of said pin extending at a right angletovthe body of said pin; and bearings on said pan adapted to slidablysupport said angular ends of said pin.

4. In a dust-pan, in combination, a base; a pan pivotally connected nearits middle portion With the forward portion of said base,

said base extending rearwardly beyond the rear end of said pan; afoot-lever pivotally mounted upon said base between its ends; theforward end of said foot-lever having a slidin engagement with said pan,the rear end 0? said lever extending beyond the rear end of said pan;and a spring normally retain- 2o ing said foot-lever in operativeposition.

HARRY E. REEVES.

WVitnesses L. L. MIL ER, GEORGE L. CHINDAHL.

